Character Creation

Names

• The random name generator, using historical first and last names in new patterns, has much to recommend it. However, it does not include cute appellations, such as "Hans the fat" or "Wiggi the red-nose." You might consider names of this sort, as well as the more traditional ones.

Gender

• In Darklands the differences between male and female have a very minor effect on initial attributes. Females possess greater endurance and charisma, males greater strength.

• Three religious careers (Friar, Priest and Bishop) are only available to males. However, as a balance, some saints provide greater benefits to females. In one case a saint provides greater benefits as long as the party includes at least one female. Aside from this, gender rarely plays a role during the game. However, there are a few situations where a charismatic (seductive) female can play a helpful part.

Childhoods

• Childhoods provide a certain amount of automatic attribute and skill improvement, plus EPs for improving attributes even further. Attribute improvement costs double starting at 30, and tripple at 40. The maximum attribute attainable during childhood is 40.

• The "Skill Tot." is the overall total of all skill bonuses in that childhood. The size of this number is not as important as you might imagine, since some skills are more important or useful than others. Furthermore, you must take into account EPs and automatic attribute adjustments as well as skills.